The Minister of Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) against tampering with the current structure of President Bola Tinubu’s ticket ahead of the 2027 general election, warning that dropping a Northern Muslim could seriously damage the party’s chances.
Musawa stated this during an interview on Mic On Show with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, amid growing speculation that the APC may reconsider the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted in the 2023 presidential election.
According to her, removing Vice President Kashim Shettima or replacing him with a non-Northern Muslim running mate would create a major political setback, especially in the party’s northern strongholds.
“If there is no Hausa, Fulani or Kanuri Muslim on that ticket, it creates a hurdle. That is the reality of the way people think,” Musawa said.
She explained that politics in the core North is deeply entrenched and should not be underestimated, stressing that electoral behaviour in the region is shaped by long-standing political consciousness.
“The core North, states like Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara and Sokoto, understands politics at a very deep level. Politics there is a way of life. People wait every four years to line up and vote because that is where they feel they have influence,” she said.
Musawa dismissed suggestions that the APC could easily reshuffle its presidential ticket without consequences, describing such views as a misunderstanding of northern political dynamics.
“I think if we toy with changing the construct of what we have now, it is a problem. People who suggest otherwise may not fully understand how politics works in the North,” she said.
On the growing talks of opposition coalitions ahead of 2027, the minister said she remains unconvinced that the current alignment of opposition figures poses a real threat to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima.
She described the opposition as fragmented and internally competitive, with too many actors chasing the same political space.
“You have an opposition that is overcrowded. Every single member is vying for the same spot, and that alone creates a recipe for political failure,” Musawa said.
While noting that the APC does not underestimate any political rival, she maintained that the ruling party is well-positioned to retain power.
“We are not taking anybody lightly. But as the opposition is emerging now, I do not see how they can unseat President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima,” she said.
Musawa added that although a strong opposition is healthy for democracy, the APC remains focused on consolidating its base and strengthening its political structure ahead of the next election.
“It is good for democracy to have opposition. Nobody wants a one-party state. But we are confident in our political direction,” she said.
